Adventure travelers have been immersing themselves in the Grand Canyon for centuries, backpacking rim to rim or rafting their way along the mighty Colorado River. Last week, I took one of the easier routes of submersion, hiking the 11-mile Havasupai Trail to what I consider to be the Canyon’s, and perhaps North America’s, best oasis.

Believe it or not, the color of the water has not been altered in any way. More photos and details to come, but here’s a glimpse of what you can experience down there: